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ABOUT ME

Full CV available on request

Lesley has a soft spot for animated films and emotive storytelling through drawing. In 2019, she completed her Bachelor of Design, majoring in Digital Design. She also completed her Masters degree (Master of Design) in 2022. She is currently refining her skills further as a Research Assistant, Editor/Copyeditor and Lecturer.

Previously, Lesley has worked with the Good Health Design Lab (GHD), Waitemata District Health Board (WDHB) and Auckland Regional Dental Service (ARDS). She has also worked as a Teaching Assistant and completed Brightside's Design Your Life and Future Focus programmes.

Lesley's Masters research has also been featured in the Dying.​dialogues 2023 Symposium, and film festivals such as:
- FOCUS Wales Film Festival 2023
- Neum Animated Film Festival 2023
- PSAF Streamtacular 2023
- Student World Impact Film Festival 2023


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With an immense passion for animation, pre-production, drawing and the digital realm - I love exploring storytelling and what it means to unveil a story effectively. My interests are also in autoethnographic inquiry to make, think and feel. In turn, my Masters research was about 2D (hand-drawn) animation as a tool, to grapple with subjective feelings and experiences of death, loss and the grieving process.

Opportunities that increase interpersonal skills, support creativity and provide an innovative, welcoming environment are always of interest to me. My lecturer role has opened opportunities to be part of various papers from departments such as: Animation, Visual Effects and Game Design (formally known as Digital Design), Communication Design (Kinetic Typography) and Minors (Extended Reality).

The experiences in postgraduate studies and lecturing have challenged my perspective on learning and teaching, giving me ample opportunity to redirect some knowledge gained to my students. I receive generous teachings simultaneously from others - whether from mentors, colleagues, supervisors, or other students - creating this beautiful loop of learning, experimenting and shared knowledge. Colleagues and students have contributed to my growth, and I am thankful to be surrounded by talented peers who offer thoughtful insights and cheer me on.

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ACHIEVEMENTS

FOCUS Wales 2023: Best International Short Winner - Animation

https://www.focuswales.com/film/

 

NAFF 2023: Official Selection - Animation

Issued by Neum Animated Film Festival 2023

Selected for the Panorama Program

 

SWIFF 2023: Official Selection - Animation/Short Film/Experimental

Issued by Student World Impact Film Festival 2023

 

PSAF 2023: Official Selection - 2D Short/Hand Drawn

Issued by Palm Springs Animation Festival (PSAF) Streamtacular 2023

 

Dying.​dialogues 2023 Symposium

Featured in: Dying.​dialogues 2023 Symposium
https://www.dyingseries.ca/2023-symposium.html


2021 Research Scholarship
AUT - Current

Best Design Awards 2020 Finalist
Designers Institute of New Zealand - Best Design Awards 2020
https://bestawards.co.nz/public-good-award/student-public-good/aut-art-design/we-are-the-childrens-community-dental-service/

2020 AUT Postgraduate Scholarship
Awarded the scholarship to continue University studies for a Master’s Degree.

2019 Summer Studentship – Good Health Design, Waitematā DHB
Selected by Good Health Design and the Institute for Innovation and Improvement (i3) to work of a 10-week design project. Working with Waitematā DHB and Auckland Regional Dental Service to create an animation about the patient journey.

2016 Eden Arts Young Artists Awards Nomination
Nominated by the school and had a painting ("Unwanted Attention") displayed at the Eden Arts.

2015 Art Education Research
My visual arts teacher selected my artwork for the research project titled "How Visual Arts Education in Aotearoa – New Zealand is responding to increasing ethnic and cultural diversity of children/students in early childhood, primary and secondary settings.". The project was conducted by visual art lecturers Dr Jill Smith, Lesley Pohio and Robert Hoeberigs in the School of Curriculum and Pedagogy at the University of Auckland's Faculty of Education, respectively.

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INTERESTS 
Volunteer Painting and Design Work
I have fortunately been able to gain a range of experience, from painting to design for different establishments. A few examples would be creating the school magazine cover, crafting peace banners (for peace week), designing and painting the shop banner sign for The Piery (Bakery), as well as a mural painting at Mount Roskill Primary School. The work requires patience, and due to its time-consuming nature, careful planning and efficient task management are critical. Not only does the product have to be done on time but also to an exceptional standard.
 
Volunteer Prop Creation
For the school production of The Wizard of Oz, I was the main painter for a range of large and small props, including scenic stone towers, backdrops (landscapes), the ruby slippers and the Munchkin House. For prop creation and set design, this required time management once again, alongside research and creativity. 

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